When most people think of visiting Santa Barbara, the image of a resort on the beach or something downtown within walking distance to the "Urban Wine Trail" comes to mind. We did things a bit different though and spent some time getting back to nature and relaxing in style at the El Capitan Canyon located about 20 minutes west of Santa Barbara and directly across the highway from el Capitan State Beach Park.

A camper is a major investment, but it can save you the money you would otherwise spend on lodging and meals as well. Yet, even so, many people cannot afford the price of indoor storage and others think the job is done once they complete some weatherizing before storing it for winter. That's why it is essential to make sure you invest in a cover as well. 

Camping essentials like a sleeping bag, tent, and a cooler with drinks and food, are usually on top of a camping checklist and aren't easy to forget. However, there are other camping essentials that are easy to forget but could make your camping more enjoyable.

Camping is a wonderful way to spend your vacation and connect with nature. On the surface, simply the act of heading outdoors seems like it would be good for the environment. However, all too often I see people simply treat camping as an outdoor party and it is anything but an ecologically sound alternative to heading to a fancy resort. When done properly though, this family-friendly style of vacation can easily be a great way to spend time exploring a new area and connecting with nature as well as your companions in meaningful ways.

Going camping can be a daunting prospect for first-timers, especially if you are worried about the lack of creature comforts that this type of outdoor activity usually involves.

Thankfully with the right preparation and a few well-chosen purchases, you can enjoy camping trips in comfort. Here are a few tips to help you thoroughly embrace camping, even if you are a newbie.

When most people think of Catalina Island, the bustling village of Avalon first comes to mind. That’s the Mediterranean-style “city” (by Catalina standards) with shops, restaurants, boutique hotels and funky bars such as Luau Larry’s with its Wiki Wacker cocktail, all of which make it a very popular tourist spot for people throughout Southern California. Well, gentlemen, there is another part of this island 26 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles that is ideal for a men’s getaway for a weekend or mid-week escape. It’s Two Harbors.

So you've thought about getting a recreational vehicle but are confused by the different types out there. To help simplify things, I'm going to divide them into two different categories - self-contained RV classes and trailers such as popup campers and fifth-wheel units. Thinking of things on the most basic level, RV classes are as simple as A, B, or C. Let's take a look at the differences in those classes what which one might be right for your lifestyle.

If you love spending your time outdoors during the summers months, the perfect type of adventure might be a camping trip. Camping is a wonderful way to be away from technology and enjoy bonding together outside in the elements and away from modern distractions.

If you want to plan a great camping trip for your family or your friends this summer, here are some of the essential items you need to pack in your car before you go. With everything on this list, you’ll be sure to have an amazing adventure.

It's pretty exciting to visit factories and see how things are built. Today, industrial-tourism is a big business and that ranges from visiting auto manufacturing plants to breweries. However, what about visiting an RV or Campervan factory? That might be a perfect twist on your same ol' vacation that could turn it into a memorable experience where you might even learn something!

Ever dream of sleeping under the Northern Lights? Unfortunately that will never be a possibility for most of us since it is DAMN COLD. Even with someone to snuggle up with, it's something that hasn't been a reality until recently because it requires organization and planning. We love what Off the Map Travel is offering now with their Aurora Bubble Sleds!

When you travel in the US, there are typically two options - hotels and camping. In other parts of the world, campervans are a popular option but until recently they haven't really been embraced in the United States. Luckily, that's changing as it offers a very cool alternative for those looking for a "back to nature" experience but still want to retain the warmth of comfort of a nice soft bed.

It’s not every day that you get to experience something truly different in life. You know, a moment you’ll never forget because of how surreal it was? I was lucky enough to find one of these gem moments recently on a trip to Arizona’s Colossal Cave Mountain Park, roughly 40 minutes southeast of Tucson. If I told you to imagine being taken on a journey through crystal laden chasms deep in the earth then later hiking though forest rich with saguaro cactus, you might be asking what planet I’m talking about. But with such an adventure being very real, I’ll share with you why Colossal Cave Mountain Park is worth a visit and why I’ll be going back again soon.

Grab your buddies, some grub, and your camping gear. It’s time to take a mancation. Leave the posh hotels and beach bathing to the ladies, because the rugged wild is beckoning. Every man welcomes the sight of mountains and rivers over the surf shop-lined boardwalks of the coast. The acres of wooded lands and miles of flowing streams provide a much more relaxing setting for any angler, hunter, or outdoorsman.

When you think about camping, you probably think about fresh air, campfires, and music but my guess is that you also are thinking about those tasty treats that you only get every so often. That's right, I'm talking about camping recipes and fire-cooked canned foods like Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Hormel Chili. On our recent trip to Joshua Tree National Park, we expanded on our favorites by adding a couple new ones...

Summer's halfway over, but that doesn't mean you can't still plan an awesome adventure out in the wild full of campfire songs, beers, and tall tales. The following are some of my favorite spots to go camping this year, where are your favorite places?

You've finally found a weekend when you and all of your buddies can get away to the lake for some R & R, away from the endless honey-do lists and invitations to brunch. The cooler’s stocked, there’s gas in the truck, and the boat’s ready to go. It should be an amazing week, with nothing to do but land that large mouth that you just know is lurking somewhere out in the lake. Except that the trip is a disaster and you come home more stressed than when you left — and bummed that it didn’t even come close to meeting your expectations.

Wisconsin welcomes travelers of all kinds, including those looking to experience an amazing mancation. From a weekend on the lake with the boys to seven days of rugged outdoor activities, Wisconsin offers four seasons of unbeatable fun. So whether you take a plane, train or car ride to get here, just know when you visit the cheesehead state, you’re sure to find Wisconsin fun.

Yellowstone National Park has some of the most awe-inspiring landscape in the entire world. From geysers that shoot water hundreds of feet into the air as well as rainbow hued pools of boiling water and even cold mountain streams that run through lush grasslands where elk, bison, and other animals feed. While there are plenty of lodges such as the grand Yellowstone lodge, to get the full back to nature experience we recommend checking into one of the park's 12 campgrounds. 

Be aware though, we aren't the only ones that think this is a great summer camping idea, so make sure to make reservations early. This is especially true if you are looking to make reservations during the summer.

Of the 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone, 5 are operated by Xanterra Parks and REsorts with 1,700+ sites and take reservations. However the National Park Service operates 7 that are first-come, first-served basis those spots are often filled by 11 a.m., so plan to arrive early to get a good spot!

If lodges are more your style, there are more than 2,000 rooms available in the park as well.

With terrain ranging from rugged windswept seashore to temperate rainforest where ancient trees grow and even jagged mountains with stunning views, Olympic National Park in Washington state has something for everyone. Don't forget your rain coat though - while you won't find any tropical vegetation, the rainforest here gets an average of 150 inches of precipitation each year and up on Hurricane Ridge they get as much as 10 feet of snow during the winter months.

From a quick guys weekend getaway to a longer hiking mancation, this is a spot that shouldn't be ignored!

Photo Credit: "Lake Crescent spring" by Adbar - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

It's almost halloween but that doesn't mean that horror season is almost over. In fact, one of the coolest and freakiest events I have ever come across is still a few months away!

The Great Horror Campout is held every year in the Los Angeles State Historic Park and it certainly takes "camping" to a completely new level!